Despite Dean Bell and Tommy being over there, I can't see Sam wanting to play under a below par coach. Perhaps it's both Tomkins and Wane that'll be in Auckland next year?

I agree and if he has signed I would love to know the logic IFL will put forward to why this is good business for Wigan.

Spot on.

As to why NZW a factor may be tax. You pay less income tax in NZ than Oz so that may be an issue if the $$ signs are lighting up.

IL is no mug and surely he realises that letting Sam leave at least a year earlier than he needs to is potentially going to be one of the most unpopular decisions in the history of Wigan RL. Maybe there is a deal/contract where Sam goes to NZ for 2/3 years and then returns to Wigan. At the end of the day this will be better for Wigan than him staying another year and then leaving, never to return.

We really do have to wait and see what is announced officially by the club. Radders being in NZ at the moment must also be significant and hopefully he is finalising deals for a couple of quality NZ Warriors players coming to Wigan as part exchange for Sam.

I'm not sure how SL's best player leaving a year earlier than expected can be a good thing?

Did you not read what NickyKiss posted in relation to this idea?

"We'll announce new deals for a few players, a signing or two and a [i'flip of the coin' chance[/i deal that Tomkins may come back in the future."

Why would anyone have any faith in a contract that says he comes back in 2 or 3 years could be enforced when the only reason he will be going is because the supposedly most watertight contract we ever got a player to sign proved as leaky as a sieve?

If IL is about to announce such a deal he must think the fans are gullible or will clutch at any straw going.

Ah yes but we will have money in the bank ! Right ?

That's good business.

Sorry, just using some of the worn out cliches that will continue to be thrown around.

Super League TV tweeted before:

"We don't expect any official comment on Tomkins to NZ Warriors from the Wigan club for some time. Weeks away! #rugbyleague"

No announcement anytime soon!

A very sad day when Sam leaves. It will be announced after the CC Final. The Warriors would have liked to announce it already but IL has requested they do not. The Warriors were not the only possible club for Sam but the more lucrative Tax Laws of NZ were the deciding factor.

More likely we need to get Tierney as much game time as possible as we don't have a replacement for Sam.

It looks like Sam is as good as gone for next year. Can't say i'm happy about it, but you can't blame him. It's a short career, if i were in his postion if the kind of money that's been suggested was on offer, as much as i love Wigan, i'd be off too.

I don't understand this. IL must know its all over the press and Internet. Sam is always being asked about it. Everyone thinks it's a done deal. What is the point of prolonging the agony?

So he can do as suggested by NickyKiss and offset it with some other announcements? Like he did when Joel left?

True but I thought mentioning the announcement after Joel left pertinent given the sweetener to lessen the fact we lost Joel was all about Sam being tied to/committed to the club! Ironic or what?

Why do you say that? The partnership idea is being discussed elsewhere and most people seem sceptical. If that is to be the good news to offset the bad I think the club will need something more than that.